that there is ‘‘no compulsion in religion’’ (Sura 2:256) also
contains this unyielding directive: ‘‘Fight against them until
idolatry is no more and Allah’s religion reigns supreme. . .’’
(Sura 2:193). This command is repeated in the same
openended form in Sura 8:39: ‘‘Make war on them until
idolatry shall cease and Allah’s religion shall reign
supreme.’’
Within the context of the abrogation theory, because
violent verses like those quoted above were revealed later
than the more peaceful ones, the peaceful verses have been
nullified. Although many Muslim scholars today like to
quote the peaceful texts in public forums, these verses
actually have very little standing in Islamic theology. The
famous silence of moderate Muslim clerics after the
September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks can be explained in part
by the uncomfortable reality of the abrogation theory.
- I have heard that the majority of Muslims believe
jihad should be used only defensively, that is, to protect
and strengthen Islam against danger and corruption. Is
this correct?
Yes. Most Muslim theologians maintain that jihad must
only be a defensive struggle, though what exactly
constitutes a defensive struggle is also the subject of wide
disagreement and furious debate. The argument centers
mainly on one Koranic verse: ‘‘Fight for the sake of Allah
those that fight against you, but do not attack them first.
Allah does not love the aggressors. Slay them wherever you
find them. Drive them out of the places from which they